Client customized virtual or physical card for use with selected merchants

ABSTRACT

A client selects several merchants with whom the card may be redeemed, the amount redeemable, and a design for the card, which is personalized for the card recipient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/692,556 filed Apr. 21, 2015, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/642,662filed Mar. 9, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,846,685, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/916,651filed Jun. 13, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,973,820, which is aContinuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/027,623,filed Feb. 15, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,464,938, which is aContinuation in Part Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/142,929, filed Jun. 20, 2008, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/945,814 filed on Jun. 22, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure relates to the creation of physical and virtual cards andto the use of such cards in transactions with merchants.

BACKGROUND

Cards such as credit cards, debit cards, and stored value cards arewidely used by cardholders (e.g., consumers) to purchase products andservices from merchants. The cards are issued by issuers (e.g.,merchants and financial institutions). Many merchants issue the cards topromote consumers to purchase their products and services. Accordingly,merchant issuers offer various features, rewards, incentives, andpromotions for enticing consumers to use the cards. One feature commonlyoffered by merchant issuers allows the consumer to select the appearanceof a physical card from a few pre-defined card designs offered by themerchant issuer. However, merchant issuers lack the ability toefficiently allow the consumer to interactively select and combinecomponents of the design to create either a physical card or virtualcard aesthetically customized for the client. In addition, merchantissuers lack the ability to efficiently allow the consumer tointeractively select and combine several merchants to create a physicalor virtual card which is accepted by the several selected merchants.

Additionally, stored value cards, in particular, are awarded bymerchants, financial institutions, employers, and other entities asrewards or incentives in motivational and loyalty programs. A storedvalue card, which may be a physical and/or virtual card, representsmoney on deposit with the issuer of the card or an affiliate of theissuer. For example, a stored value card may be a gift card issued by aparticular merchant and is redeemable with the particular merchant. Inanother example, the stored value card is a pre-paid debit or creditcard which is issued by a credit association (e.g., American Express®)affiliate and is redeemable with particular merchants accepting thecredit association brand.

Motivational programs may be administered internally or administered byincentive companies which have contracted with the sponsoring entities(e.g., merchants, financial institutions, and/or employers). Based onvarious criteria, the participant (e.g., consumer, employee) accumulatesa stored value card for a particular amount. For example, a particularsponsoring merchant may reward a consumer with a gift card redeemablefor products sold by the merchant if the consumer uses a credit cardissued by the merchant to purchase products from the merchant. Inanother example, a sponsoring employer contracts with an incentivecompany to administer various stored value cards after an employee hasaccrued a particular number of points based on the employee'sperformance. Additional details regarding cards used for implementingincentive award programs are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,689,100 and5,956,695, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference. Although such motivational programs providerewards/incentives based on an individual participant's performance, themotivational programs fail to allow the sponsor to provide theindividual participant with a stored value card customized by thesponsor for the individual participant.

The need for a card giver (e.g., sponsor) to customize the card for thecard recipient (e.g., cardholder) similarly applies to stored valuecards given as gifts. Stored value cards are commonly purchased by aconsumer for gifting to a card recipient. However, currently consumersare unable to efficiently purchase and customize the card to reflect theoccasion for the gift and/or personalize the card to reflect therecipient of the gift.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system forcustomizing a physical or virtual card for a card recipient.Advantageously, a client may efficiently select several merchants withwhom the card may be redeemed, the amount redeemable, and a design forprinting on a physical card or a design included as part of a display orscreen of a virtual card which is personalized for the card recipient.Additionally, embodiments of the present invention modify the dataand/or merchant information, such as merchant logos, which may beselected by a client based on the prospective needs and preferences ofthe client and/or the card recipient.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overview of the system forcustomizing a physical or virtual card and for implementing use of thecustomized physical or virtual card.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a system for creatingclient-specified display on a physical or virtual card representing anaccount between a merchant and a cardholder, according to one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the front side of an exemplary physical orvirtual card customized according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a top view of the back side of an exemplary physical orvirtual card customized according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system for allowing a client tointeractively create a customized physical or virtual card based on datastored locally with respect to the client, according to one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system for allowing a client tointeractively create a customized physical or virtual card based on datastored remotely with respect to the client, according to one embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 5A-5Q are screenshots illustrating an exemplary process forcreating a customized physical or virtual card from a client'sperspective, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary environment forredeeming an amount from the balance of the customized physical orvirtual card in response to a client initiating a transaction with amerchant using the customized physical or virtual card, according to oneembodiment of the invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method of creating aphysical or virtual card representing an account between selectedmerchants and a cardholder wherein the card is individually customizedfor the client. In general, the physical or virtual card is customizedby a person creating the card that may or may not be the client orcardholder. For simplicity below, it will be assumed that the client isthe person customizing the card. In is contemplated that the personcreating the physical or virtual card may also be any one or more of thefollowing: someone who uses the card, the cardholder, a sponsor, someonegiving the card to a cardholder, or a card recipient. Embodiments of theinvention provide an efficient and convenient interactive experience forthe client to customize a physical or virtual card. In particular,embodiments of the invention contemplate the diverse needs of clients byallowing clients to specify the merchants, design and/or accountparameters of the physical or virtual card. Additionally, embodiments ofthe invention contemplate the diversity of the clients by customizingthe data which may be specified by the client for customizing thephysical or virtual card and merchants which redeem (e.g., accept) thecustomized card.

Unless otherwise specified herein, “card” includes (1) a physical cardincluding a plastic or paper card with a magnetic stripe, bar code orother indicator indicative of an account number or other accountindicative information, and/or (2) a virtual card, such as a display orscreen shot for a mobile phone or for another portable device (e.g., aflash drive, smart chip, a laptop or portable computer), or for acomputer device (e.g., a desktop computer) in combination with dataindicative of an account number or other account indicative information.Data associated with the card may include an encrypted or unencryptedaccount number or other encrypted or unencrypted account indicativeinformation and/or encrypted or unencrypted information associated witha particular client, issuer, creator or group of merchants. It is alsocontemplated that the card may have multiple embodiments or forms. Forexample, the card may be a physical card (e.g., in the form of magneticstriped plastic card), a virtual card (e.g., in the form of a display ona smart phone), or both. In the embodiment in which the card is avirtual card, the corresponding account information (e.g., accountnumber) would initially be provided to the client and the client wouldcommunicate the account information to the merchant. The virtual cardmay be communicated by displaying a display or screen shot, and/or bytransmitting a signal, such as by using NFC (Near Field Communication)technology or other secure transport technologies to complete thetransaction with the selected merchants. Optionally, the virtual cardmay have a display element (e.g., a bar code or string of numbers) whichidentifies the account number associated with the card. Alternatively,the virtual card may have display elements relating to the merchantswhich accept the card. Thus, whether the card is physical or virtual, itcommunicates account information.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a block diagram illustrates an overview of asystem 10 for customizing a card 12 and for implementing use of thecustomized card 12. A card creator 14 such as a kiosk or websitesupports the overall customization process. A client (not shown in FIG.1 ) interfaces with the card creator 14 to navigate to a merchantselector page 15 to select one or multiple merchants that would acceptthe card 12 and become redemption options for use of the card 12. Thecard 12 would be assigned a unique account number which would beassociated with only the selected merchants. The merchant selector page15 then transmits the merchant selections and the associated accountnumber to a merchant management system 16 which maintains theappropriate profile 17 and configuration data to establish and manage acommission and a merchant filter 18 associated with the account number(see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,689,100 and 5,956,695 regardingmerchant filtering). Alternatively, the merchant management system 16may assign the account number and provide it to the card creator 14.Meanwhile, the card creator produces the card 12 and provides it to theclient.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the card creator 14 includes a displaycreator. When the card is a physical card, the card creator 14 includesa plurality of plastic cards which are encoded by a processor with theaccount number and includes a display creator prints the card accordingto the clients choices. When the card is a virtual card, the cardcreator 14 includes a processor defining account data and a displaycreator generating a graphical display representative of the card fordisplay on a mobile or other device according to the client's choices.In the embodiment where the card creator is a kiosk, the card 12 may bea physical card printed and/or coded with the account number anddispensed to the client who would then be able to use it or provide itto a user, in the event that the client is not the user. Alternatively,in the embodiment where the card creator is a kiosk, the card 12 may bea virtual card associated with and/or displaying data with the accountnumber and transmitted to the client who would then be able to use it orprovide it to a user, in the event that the client is not the user. Inthe embodiment where the card creator is a website, the information iscommunicated by transmission to a fulfillment resource which creates thecard 12 either (1) by printing a physical card with the selectedbackground and logo and by coding it with the account number or (2) bycreating a virtual card, such as a display or screen shot, with selectedbackground graphics, logo and data indicative of the account number. Theresource delivers the card 12 to the client and/or to the user, in theevent that the client is not the user. When the card 12 is a physicalcard, it is physically delivered to the user. When the card 12 is avirtual card, the card display and data are transmitted to a user'sdevice, such as the user's mobile device or computer. As a specificexample, many mobile devices (such as smart phones) have displays thatapproximate in size a physical, plastic card so that the virtual cardcould be a graphical display on a smart phone that has the sameappearance as a physical, plastic card.

Assuming the client is the user for this embodiment, the client uses thecard 12 at one of the selected (participating) merchant locations (instore or online as appropriate). At the point of sale 20 of the selectedmerchant, the account data is input (e.g., the card is swiped,displayed, transmitted or entered via a keyboard or other known entrytechnique) for validation and authorization. The point of sale 20 (e.g.,in store or online) is networked into card networks 22 and would berouted to the correct network processing system 24 of the issuer of thecard 12 (e.g., the bin range would forward to the appropriate issuernetwork processing system 24 for processing). The merchantidentification information, transaction information (such as the amountof purchase) and card information 26 (such as account number) aretransmitted to the issuer network processing system 24 whichauthenticates the card number and any expiration date of the accountnumber represented by the card 12, and then validates that sufficientfunds exist in the account. Once this process is confirmed, anadditional confirmation step is taken to validate that the merchant atthe point of sale 20 is one of the selected merchants and is authorizedto accept the card. In particular, the issuer network processing systemapplies the merchant filter 18 to merchant identification information26.

In one embodiment, a filter 18A is created in response to input from theclient. The filter 18A is a list of merchant identification numbers ofone or more preset groups of merchants selected by the client. The cardcreator 14 presents the client with a list of preset groups of merchantsand the client can select one or more groups of merchants which willaccept the card. For example, a selected preset group of merchants maybe a class or set of merchants (e.g., fast food) and the filter 18A isused by the processing system 24 to confirm that the merchant at thepoint of sale 20 falls within the preset group. The authorization isprovided back to the point of sale 20 and the purchase transaction iscompleted for the client (e.g., cardholder or user).

In another embodiment, a filter 18B is created in response to input fromthe client. The filter 18B is a list of merchant identification numbersof individual merchants selected by the client. The card creator 14presents the client with a list of merchants and the client can selectone or more merchants which will accept the card. Thus, the merchantswhich will accept the card or cards are a unique, customized groupselected by the client from a list of participating merchants. Forexample, the client may select merchants CC and DD and the filter 18B isused by the processing system 24 to confirm that the merchant at thepoint of sale 20 is either merchant CC or merchant DD. The authorizationis provided back to the point of sale 20 and the purchase transaction iscompleted for the client (e.g., cardholder or user). It is alsocontemplated that the filter may be a combination of filters 18A and18B, including a list of merchant identification numbers of individualmerchants selected by the client and a list of merchant identificationnumbers of one or more preset groups of merchants selected by theclient.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a block diagram illustrates a system 100 forinteracting with a client 102 to design a card and create arepresentation of the card with the client selected design for deliveryto the client 102. In general when the card is a physical card, thesystem 100 includes a housing unit (e.g., kiosk 104) which houses aplurality of customizable physical cards 106. Each of the plurality ofcustomizable physical cards 106 represents an account between acardholder and merchants to be selected by the client when creating thecard. A design database 108 stores data for customizing the physicalcards. A client interface 110 interacts with the client 102 of the kiosk104 to customize the physical card. In particular, the client interface110 is connected to the design database 108 and interacts with theclient 102 to select design data from the design database 108 which isprinted on a physical form of a physical card to create individualized,customized physical cards according client choices. In the alternativewhen the card is a virtual card, the system 100 includes a housing unit(e.g., kiosk 104) which houses a processor for defining plurality ofcustomizable virtual cards 106. Each of the plurality of customizablevirtual cards 106 represents unique account data between a cardholderand merchants to be selected by the client when creating the card. Adesign database 108 stores data for customizing the display of thevirtual cards to be displayed on a mobile or other device. A clientinterface 110 interacts with the client 102 of the kiosk 104 tocustomize the virtual card. In particular, the client interface 110 isconnected to the design database 108 and interacts with the client 102to select design data from the design database 108 which is part of thedisplay of the card to create individualized, customized virtual cardsaccording client choices.

When the card is a physical card, the client interface 110 communicateswith a card creator 112 such that the card creator 112 prints materialon the card based on the client interaction with the client interface110. In particular, the card creator 112 prints the selected design dataon the card and dispenses the card from the kiosk 104 to the client 102.In one embodiment, the card creator 112 includes an encoder 117 whichencodes the magnetic strip of the card with the account number and/orwith the selected merchants. Alternatively or in addition, the creator112 includes a printer which prints the card and/or prints a documentfor the client 102 including a listing of the selected merchants.

When the card is a virtual card, the client interface 110 communicateswith a card creator 112 such that the card creator 112 transmits adisplay based on the client interaction with the client interface 110and transmits account data. In particular, the card creator 112 sendsthe selected design data of the card from the kiosk 104 to a device ofthe client 102 and sends the account data. In one embodiment, the cardcreator 112 includes an encoder 117 which encrypts the account datarepresentative of the account number and/or the selected merchants andsends it with the display. Alternatively or in addition, the creator 112includes a printer which prints a document for the client 102 includinga listing of the selected merchants.

In one embodiment, the cards 106, whether physical cards in a dispenseror virtual cards stored in memory, include cards representingpre-existing accounts having a pre-defined amount redeemable with one ormore merchants. An amount may be a currency amount or a particularproduct. For example, the cards may be stored value cards (e.g., giftcards, phone cards, pre-paid credit/debit cards). In another embodiment,the cards 106 additionally or alternatively include cards representingaccounts which do not have an amount balance. For example, the cards maybe loadable stored value cards which the client or cardholder may loadwith a balance amount. The card may be loaded via the interface as partof the customizing process or thereafter. In another example, the kiosk104 may demonstrate features of the present invention discussed herein.The kiosk 104 allows the client to design and provide a prototype card,either physical form or virtual form, or both. In yet another example,the kiosk 104 is used by a merchant issuer of a credit card or debitcard. The plurality of cards 106 comprises credit cards and/or debitcards representing an account between the merchant issuer and thecardholder which has not yet been activated. The kiosk 104 allows theclient to design and receive a customized credit or debit card and themerchant issuer subsequently activates the account represented by thecustomized card.

In embodiments of the invention, the design database 108 comprises oneor more storage media storing various types of design data for accessingby the client interface 110. In an embodiment, the one or more storagemedia may be included as an internal component of the client interface110. Exemplary internal storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory and/or other internal or external Internet or on-line storagemedia known in the art. Alternatively, the one or more storage media maycomponents external to the client interface 110 which communicate withthe client interface 110. Exemplary external storage media includememory sticks, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD), magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disks, on-line, Internet and/or otherstorage media known in the art.

In an embodiment, the design database 108 includes a plurality ofdatabases, each storing a particular type of design data. According tothe illustrated embodiment, the design database 108 includes a merchantdatabase 115, a background database 116 and a logo database 114.Although these databases are shown as part of the kiosk 104 it iscontemplated that part or all of the databases may be remotely locatedfrom the kiosk 104 and connected by a network such as the Internet.

The merchant database 115 includes a listing of merchants who arepartnering with the issuer. In one embodiment, merchants or groups ofmerchants may be pre-assigned to a particular account number.Alternatively or in addition, the client may select from a merchantlist. Frequently, the client will select merchants based on the purposeof the card. For example, the client may be a business which ownsparticular merchants and will be giving the card as a bonus to itsemployees. Thus, the client would select the particular merchants. Asanother example, the client may be giving the card to someone who has aspecial interest such as electronics so that the client would selectmerchants dealing in the special interest goods such as electronicmerchants.

The background database 116 stores a plurality of card backgrounds. Theplurality of backgrounds may include backgrounds with various themes(e.g., birthday, performance award or other accomplishment, seasons,holidays). Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of backgroundsmay include backgrounds associated with the various entities involved inissuing, customizing, and/or using the card (e.g., watermark of cardissuer, image of card giver, image of card receiver/cardholder, andtypes of products sold by merchants accepting the card).

The logo database 114 stores a plurality of logos. The stored pluralityof logos may include logos representing the card giver, the cardrecipient, a merchant, a credit association, or other party relating tothe card. For example, where the card is awarded by an employer to anemployee as a performance award, the stored plurality of logos mayinclude one or more logos associated with the employer. The stored logosmay include images and/or text. Additionally or alternatively, theclient 102 may provide the logo via the client interface 110. Theclient-provided logo is stored in the logo database 114. Theclient-provided logo may be permanently stored in the logo database 114or temporarily stored until the card has been delivered. Additionally oralternatively, the logos may be the logos of the selected merchants.

In an embodiment, the client interface 110 includes an input componentfor receiving information from the client and an output component forrelaying information to the client. In one embodiment, the inputcomponent and the output component comprise one device such as a touchscreen or an interactive voice response system. In another embodiment,the input component and the output component each comprise separatedevices. Exemplary input devices include one or more of the following:keyboard, mouse, trackball, pen, touch pad, microphone, joystick,gamepad, push button, and other input devices known in the art.Exemplary output devices include one or more of the following: monitor,printer, speakers, lights and other output devices known in the art. Inan embodiment, the client interface 110 further includes a memory forstoring instructions and a processor for executing the storedinstructions and Internet access. The processor communicates with thedesign database 108, the input component, the output component, thememory, and the card creator 112 and executes the stored instructionsaccordingly. When the card is a virtual card, the interface 110 mayinclude a port, such as a USB port, which would be used to connect to amobile device of a client, so that the virtual card could be transferredfrom the interface 110 via the port to the mobile device. Alternatively,when the card is a virtual card, the interface 110 may be connected tonetwork, such as the Internet or a 3G cellular network, so that thevirtual card could be transferred from the interface 110 via the networkto the mobile device.

According to an embodiment, the client interface 110 interacts with theclient 102 to select one or more merchants from the merchant database115 which will accept (redeem) the card, to select a card backgroundfrom the background database 116 and to select a logo from the logodatabase 114. According to one embodiment, the processor executes thestored instructions to display to the client 102 via the outputcomponent a plurality of merchants from the merchant database 115. Theclient 102 selects a one or more merchants via the input component andthe processor receives a signal indicating the selected merchants.Similarly, the processor executes and communicates through processor andonline means the stored instructions to display to the client 102 viathe output component a plurality of card backgrounds from the backgrounddatabase 116. The client 102 selects a displayed card background via theinput component and the processor receives a signal indicating theselected card background. Similarly, the processor executes the storedinstructions to display to the client 102 via the output component aplurality of logos from the logo database 114. The client selects adisplayed logo via the input component and the processor receives asignal indicating the selected logo. In one embodiment, the plurality oflogos displayed may be limited to the logos of the selected merchants.

The processor communicates the data received from the client 102 to thecard creator 112. The card creator 112 prints a physical card and/orcreates a virtual card according to the received client-specified data.Thus, the card creator 112 prints the selected background and theselected logo on the physical card or creates a virtual card includingthe selected background and the selected logo for a display for a mobiledevice. The card creator 112 then dispenses the printed physical card tothe client 102 or transfers the virtual card to the client's mobiledevice. In one embodiment, each card has a pre-assigned account numberand the client interface 110 communicates the selected merchants to themerchant management system to be used in building the filter andauthorizing card use, as noted above with regard to FIG. 1 . In anotherembodiment, when the card is a physical card, the card creator 112includes an encoder 117 which encodes the magnetic strip of the cardwith the account number and/or with the selected merchants.Alternatively or in addition, the creator 112 includes a printer whichprints the card and/or prints a document for the client 102 including alisting of the selected merchants. In another embodiment, when the cardis a virtual card, the card creator 112 includes an encoder 117 whichencrypts the account information including the account number and/orwith the selected merchants and sends it to the client's mobile device.Alternatively or in addition, the creator 112 includes a link whichtransmits the virtual card and/or prints a document for the client 102including a listing of the selected merchants.

According to an embodiment, the client may design a card and instructvia the client interface 110 creation of one or more cards 106 with thespecified design. Thus, the present invention advantageously adapts tothe needs of each client 102 by allowing the client 102 to convenientlyand efficiently create a customized design for printing on aclient-specified number of physical cards or for use as virtual cardswith a client-specified number of mobile devices. In one embodiment fordispensing physical cards, the card creator 112 comprises a Datacard®RP90 printer and the memory stores aspects of the Datacard® ID Works®identification software and/or Datacard® ViaNet® identity informationsoftware for executing by the processor. The Datacard® RP90 printer, theDatacard® ID Works® identification software, and Datacard® ViaNet®identity information software are explained in the Datacard® RP90Plug-in Client's Guide, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein as Appendix A.

According to one embodiment, the client interface 110 further interactswith the client 102 to select a card from the plurality of cards 106.The plurality of cards 106 includes cards having various, differentpre-programmed features and the client selects a card based on thefeatures of the card. In one embodiment, the plurality of cards 106includes cards representing accounts having varying pre-defined amountsand the client 102 selects the card based on the pre-defined amount. Forexample, the kiosk 104 is specifically located with respect to aparticular merchant (e.g., in the particular merchants store, in a storeaffiliated with the particular merchant) and the plurality of cards 106comprises cards (e.g., a stack of gift cards or a memory area storing aplurality of virtual cards) issued by the particular (pre-determined)merchant. The cards have pre-defined balances indicating an amountredeemable by the cardholder with the one particular (pre-determined)merchant. The client interface 110 interacts with the client 102 toallow the client 102 to select a card having one of the pre-definedamounts. In another example, the plurality of cards 106 include cardsissued by a credit association (e.g., American Express®)affiliate/merchant and similarly have various pre-defined amounts. Eachof the plurality of cards 106 is redeemable with any merchant acceptingthe card issued by the credit association. The client interface 110interacts with the client 102 to allow the client to select a cardhaving a particular pre-defined amount. In another embodiment, each ofthe plurality of cards 106 additionally or alternatively has apre-defined amount redeemable at varying one or more merchants and theclient 102 selects a card from the plurality of cards 106 based on aparticular merchant(s). For example, the kiosk 104 is specificallylocated with respect to a group of merchants (e.g., the kiosk 104 islocated in a mall where the merchants of the group have stores) and theplurality of cards 106 includes cards (e.g., a stack of gift cards or amemory area storing a plurality of virtual cards) issued by each of themerchants of the group. Each card has a pre-defined balance indicatingan amount redeemable with the merchant from the group who issued thecard. The client interface 110 interacts with the client 102 to allowthe client 102 to select the card issued from a particular merchant ofthe group and having a particular pre-defined balance.

According to one embodiment, the client interface 110 further interactswith the client 102 to select additional design data for includingadditional material in the card. For example, the selected design datamay include one or more of the following: identifying informationassociated with the cardholder, a personalized message, identifyinginformation associated with the client, contact information associatedwith the client 102, identifying information associated with theparticular merchant, contact information associated with the particularmerchant, credit redeemable by the cardholder, an expiration date forredeeming the credit. According to another embodiment, the clientinterface 110 further interacts with the client 102 to select designdata for further customizing the appearance of the graphical materialwhich is part of the card. The design data, for example, may includedata for specifying one or more of the following: font of characters,style of characters, size of the information on the card, size of thedisplay of the virtual card, position of the information on the front ofthe card, position of information on the back of the card, color of theinformation, a border for the card, a theme for the card, and anorientation of the information of the card. The design data forselecting and customizing material may be stored in the client interface110 memory, the design database 108, and/or other storage media.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary physical or virtual card,according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2Aillustrates the front side of the exemplary card and FIG. 2B illustratesthe back side of the exemplary card. The material on the front side ofthe card includes a selected card background 118 and a selected one ormore logos 120 identifying the card giver (e.g., client 102) and/or theselected merchants. The illustration of the back side of the exemplarycard indicates that an account identifier 122 may be included as part ofthe card to identify the account represented by the card. For example,the account identifier 122 included as part of the card may includenumbers representing an account number which are formed in the materialcomprising the card (e.g., raised plastic in the shape of the numbers),an identifier as part of the card (e.g., numbers, letters, barcode), amagnetic stripe embedded in a physical card on which the card number isencoded, numbers representing an account number displayed on a virtualcard, account information data stored in memory, and/or aradio-frequency identifier embedded in the card. In particular, theaccount identifier 122 comprises an account number which is used by thecard issuer to manage the account. For example, a merchant issuing agift card may map the account identifier to the pre-determined amount inorder to authorize the redeeming of the amount in a transaction with acardholder. In one embodiment, the plurality of cards 106 includes theaccount identifier prior to being customized. In another embodiment, thecard creator 112 adds an account identifier 122 to the card beingcustomized. For example, the card creator 112 may print numbers,letters, a barcode, and/or a magnetic stripe on a physical card foridentifying the card or the card creator 112 may display numbers,letters, a barcode, and/or other indicia on a virtual card foridentifying the card.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , embodiments of the present inventionfurther allow the client to specify account parameters (i.e., data) forthe card. FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams illustrating exemplarysystems 300, 400 for creating a customized card according to accountparameters and design data specified by the client 102. The illustratedsystems 300, 400 include a client interface 110 connected to anadministrator processor 126 via a wired (e.g., wired network ordirect-wired connection) and/or a wireless (e.g., acoustic, radiofrequency (RF), infrared) communication media. According to theillustrated systems 300, 400, the client interface 110 interacts with aclient 102 to create a customized card and communicates informationobtained from the client 102 to the administrator processor 126. Theadministrator processor 126 manages the account of the customized cardbased on the information received from the client interface 110. Forexample, the administrator processor 126 is controlled by an incentivecompany and the administrator processor 126 manages the accountsrepresented by the cards created by sponsoring employers for rewardingemployees. A device, hereinafter referred to as an activation device128, in communication with the administrator processor, communicatesdata to the administrator processor 126 to activate the card.

The system 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes one or more kiosks 104-A,104-N housing a client interface 110 and an account parameters database124 for storing one or more account parameters for accessing by theclient interface 110. The client interface 110 accesses the accountparameters database 124 to allow the client 102 to customize the accountparameters for a card. In one embodiment, the account parametersdatabase 124 stores information identifying a plurality of participatingmerchants (e.g., merchants agreeing to redeem balance amounts and/orextend credit). The client interface 110 accesses the account parametersdatabase 124 to allow the client 102 to select one or more of theparticipating merchants from the account parameters database 124. Inanother embodiment, the account parameters database 124 alternatively oradditionally stores value data defining available account balanceamounts. The client interface 110 accesses the account parametersdatabase 124 to allow the client 102 to indicate the account balanceamount for the card. For example, the account parameters database 124may store information identifying various pre-defined account balanceamount which a particular participating merchant has agreed to redeemand the client 102 selects an available account balance via the clientinterface 110. In another example, the account parameters database 124stores information indicating that the client 102 may specify a balanceamount. According to one embodiment, the account parameters stored inthe account parameters database 124 are controlled by the administratorprocessor 126 via the client interface 110. For example, theadministrator processor 126 transmits data to the client interface 110indicating the participating merchants for storing in the accountparameters database 124.

In the illustrated system 300, the kiosks 104 further house a designdatabase 108 and a card creator 112 connected to the client interface110 for designing and dispensing customized cards, as previouslydescribed. In one embodiment, the administrator processor 126 transmitsdesign data to the client interface 110 for storing in the designdatabase 108 (e.g., background database 116, logo database 114). Forexample, the administrator processor 126 is controlled by an incentivecompany and the kiosk 104 is located at an employer sponsoring anincentive program. The design data transmitted by the administratorprocessor 126 may include card backgrounds associated with theparticular incentive program and logos identifying the employer.

According to the illustrated system 300, the client interacts with theclient interface 110 to select design data for graphical material to bepart of the card and to select account parameters (e.g., to select anamount for which the card will be redeemable, and to select amerchant(s) with whom the amount will be redeemable). In one embodiment,the client interface 110 also identifies or generates an accountidentifier for identifying the account represented by the card. Forexample, the client interface 110 may generate a unique identifier(e.g., account number) and associate the unique identifier with theaccount. In another example, the client interface 110 identifies apre-existing account identifier (e.g., an account identifier printed orotherwise included as part of the card before the card is customized).The client interface 110 then communicates data to the card creator 112for dispensing the card. The data includes the selected design data. Thedata may also include a generated account identifier. Additionally, thedata may include a client-specified number of cards for dispensingaccording to the design data. Responsive to receiving the data, the cardcreator 112 add graphic material to the(s) card according to the data.The card creator 112 then dispenses the card to the client 102. When thecard is a physical card, the card is printed and delivered. When thecard is a virtual card, the card is transmitted. The client interface110 transmits the account parameters defining the account represented bythe card to the administrator processor 126. In one embodiment, theaccount parameters include the account identifier identified orgenerated by the client interface 110. The administrator processor 126receives and stores the account parameters for use in authorizingaccount transactions initiated by the cardholder.

The system 400 illustrated by FIG. 4 allows a client interface 110 tointeract with a client to create a customized card based on accountparameters and design data stored remote to the client interface 110 andcommunicated to the client interface 110 via the administrator processor126. In particular, the administrator processor 126 accesses the accountparameters database 124 and transmits account parameters to the clientinterface 110 for selecting by the client. The client interface 110displays the account parameters (e.g., plurality of participatingmerchants, data for prompting the client to enter an amount for thecard) to the client 102 and receives a response from the client 102indicating selected account parameters (e.g., selected merchant,selected amount) for defining the account represented by the card. Theadministrator processor 126 receives and stores the account parametersfor use by the card issuer in authorizing account transactions initiatedby the cardholder. Additionally, the administrator processor 126accesses the design database 108 and transmits design data to the clientinterface 110 for displaying to the client 102. The client interface 110displays the design data to the client 102 and receives a response fromthe client indicating a selected design feature for the card (e.g.,background, logo, personalized message, etc.). The client interface 110transmits the selected design data (e.g., data indicating the selecteddesign feature) to the administrator processor 126 for use as part ofthe card.

For example, the client interface 110 may be an employer's computingdevice running a web browser. The administrator processor 126 may be aserver hosting a web application (e.g., web page, web site) controlledby an incentive company contracted by the employer. The employer 102selects account parameters and design data from the web application byinteracting with the computing device and web browser. The selectionsare received by the server. The server stores the account data for usein authorizing transactions initiated by the cardholder (e.g., theemployee). The server transmits the design data to the card creator 112for dispensing one or more cards based on the design data. The card(s)are distributed to the employer 102 (e.g., via mail, personal delivery,picked up by the employer 102).

According to the systems 300 and 400, the administrator processor 126communicates with an activation device(s) 128-A, 128-N for activating orinitiating the account. The activation device 128 may be any device incommunication with the administrator processor 126, such as a processorconnected to a communication network, a phone, or a fax machine.Although the activation device(s) 128-A, 128-N is shown separate fromthe kiosks 104-A, 104-N, the activation device(s) 128 may be housed inthe kiosks 104 and/or integrated into the client interface 110. Theactivation device 128 transmits activation/initiating data to theadministrator processor 126. For example, the activation device 128 maycommunicate funding information. For instance, as previously discussed aclient may interact with a client interface 110, such as the client'scomputing device, to customize cards which are printed or transmittedremote to the client. In addition to transmitting the data forcustomizing the cards, the client's computing device may also be used totransmit data to initiate/activate the cards for a funded amount alongwith or subsequent to the transmission of the customizing data.Accordingly, the client can arrange to have the cards activated by thetime the cards are distributed (e.g., mail, personal delivery, pick up)to the client. In another example, the activation device 128 mayadditionally or alternatively communicate a client status. The client'sstatus may indicate one or more of the following: amount of card isredeemable as a function of immediate funding by the client, amount ofcard is redeemable as a function of subsequent funding by the client,amount of card is immediately redeemable, amount of card is redeemableafter a certain time period, and amount of card is redeemable for alimited amount. For instance, the kiosk 104 may include a processorwhich comprises the client interface 110 and the activation device 128.A sales representative may interact with the client interface 110 tocreate a card for demonstrating the kiosk 104 to a current orperspective client. The processor communicates the data selected by thesales representative along with the client's status as a salesrepresentative to the administrator processor 126. Based on the client'sstatus as a sales representative, the administrator processor 126activates the card for an amount within a pre-defined authorized levelwithout requiring funding from the sales representative. In yet anotherexample, the activation device 128 may additionally or alternativelycommunicate a code required by the issuer and/or administrator in orderto use the card to make purchases.

FIGS. 5A-5Q illustrates an exemplary process for creating a customizedcard from a client's perspective, according to an exemplary embodimentof the invention. In particular, the exemplary method illustrates aclient's interaction with the client interface 110 to specify accountparameters (e.g., merchants and amount) for the account represented bythe card based on account parameters stored in an account parametersdatabase 124 and design data (e.g., card background, client logo,personalized message) for the customizing the graphical material whichis part of the card based on design data stored in a design database108. The exemplary method is managed by an incentive company (e.g.,American Express Incentives Services, Inc.) via an administratorprocessor 126 in communication with the client interface 110. The clientinterface 110 interacts with a client/card giver/sponsor (e.g., employermerchant) 102 to create the customized reward card which is issued byAEIS for redeeming by a cardholder with client-specified merchants.Referring to FIG. 5A, a welcome screen introduces the client to themethod for creating the card. The screen indicates the issuer of thecard (e.g., AEIS) and that the customized card will include dataidentifying the issuer (e.g., AEIS logo).

Referring to FIG. 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, and 5F, the client interface 110accesses the merchant data stored in the account parameters database 124and displays the merchant data (e.g., text, images, logos) identifying aplurality of participating merchants. The participating merchants aremerchants agreeing to accept the card amount as currency. Each of theparticipating merchants is associated with a category based on theproducts (e.g., goods or services) sold by the merchant. In the exampleillustrated by FIG. 5B, Coach®, Dillard's®, Eddie Bauer®, Gap®, Lands'End®, Macys'®, Marshalls®, Sephora®, and Talbots® are associated withthe “Apparel/Accessories” category because they sell apparel and/oraccessories. In FIG. 5C, Gap® is selected as a merchant. Referring toFIG. 5D, at least one of the categories (e.g., “spend back to you”) maybe customized to the goods or services sold by the client/cardgiver/sponsor (e.g., employer merchant) or a merchant affiliated withthe client/card giver/sponsor. For example, a particular appliancemanufacturer may be the sponsor employer and the retail merchantsselling the appliances are associated with the “spend back to youcategory.” In FIG. 5E, Best Buy® is illustrated as the “spend back toyou” merchant.

The categories of merchants (e.g., Apparel/Accessories,Sports/Recreation, Home Goods, Gifts, Spend Back to You) are displayedto the client 102 via the client interface 110 and the client 102responds via the client interface 110 to indicate a selected category.When the client interface 110 receives the response from the client 102indicating the selected category, the client interface 110 displaysmerchant identifying data for the merchants associated with the selectedcategory. The client 102 may select between one and six merchants (ormore) for a particular card from the various categories. The selectedmerchants are the exclusive merchants with whom a transaction using thecard will be authorized. The client 102 selects a merchant (e.g., BestBuy) by responding (e.g., touching the Best Buy) to the displayedmerchants via the client interface 110. The client interface 110receives the response and displays the selected merchant to the client102. The client interface 110 may also be used by the client 102 toun-select the merchant. In an embodiment (not illustrated) informationidentifying the selected merchants may appear as part of the card (e.g.,logos of the selected merchants). Referring to FIG. 5F, the client 102indicates via the client interface 110 when the client 102 has completedthe merchant selection.

Referring to FIGS. 5G and 5H, responsive to the client interface 110receiving an indication that the client has completed the merchantselection, the client interface 110 displays value data for allowing theclient 102 to select the amount for the balance of the card via theclient interface 110. The amount may be a currency amount ($25, $50,$100) or a product amount (e.g., 1 DVD player model no. XYZ). The clientinterface 110 may additionally or alternatively display an option toselect a card which has a zero balance (e.g., “none”) and may besubsequently loaded (e.g., “reloadable”). The client 102 selects aparticular pre-defined amount via the client interface 110 and receivesvalue data responsive to the client 102 selecting a particular displayedamount via the client interface 110. In another embodiment (notillustrated), the client interface 110 prompts the client 102 toenter/specify an amount via the client interface 110 and responsive tothe client entering a particular amount, receives value data indicatingthe entered/specified amount. The selected amount of the card may appearas part of the card. Referring to FIG. 5H, the client indicates via theclient interface 110 when the client 102 has completed the amountselection.

Referring to FIGS. 5I, 5J, 5K, and 5L, responsive to the clientinterface 110 receiving an indication that the client 102 has completedthe amount selection, the client interface 110 accesses stored cardbackgrounds from the design database 108 and displays the plurality ofcard backgrounds to the client 102. The client interface 110 receivesdesign data from the client 102 indicating a selected card backgroundfrom the displayed card backgrounds. The client interface 110 receivesadditional design data from the client for customizing the appearance ofthe selected background of the card. For example, the client 102 candrag the background to a particular position on the card and adjust thescale of the background with respect to the card. Based on the designdata received by the client interface 110, the client interface 110displays a preview of the card according to the selected design data andallows the client 102 to change the selections until the client 102indicates that the selections are final (e.g., requests the card isprinted or transmitted). Referring to FIG. 5L, the client indicates viathe client interface 110 when the client 102 has completed the cardbackground selection.

Referring to FIGS. 5M, 5N, and 50 , responsive to the client interface110 receiving an indication from the client 102 that the client hascompleted the card background selection, the client interface 110accesses the stored logos from the design database 108 and displays theplurality of logos to the client 102 (e.g., xyz company logo, generallimited logo, your company logo, myco logo, abc incorporated logo). Theclient interface 110 receives from the client 102 via the clientinterface 110 a selected logo from the displayed logo. Alternatively,the client may provide a logo representing the client (e.g., theemployer merchant) for use on the card. The client 102 provides the logovia the client interface 110 using text to enter the employer merchant'sname and selecting additional design data for customizing the appearanceof the entered text. For example, the client 102 may enter the text “MYBIG COMPANY” and select a font style (e.g., bold, italics) and a fontcolor (e.g., black, white, blue, red, yellow) for the text. The clientinterface 110 displays a preview of the card according to the selecteddesign data and allows the client 102 to change the selections until theclient 102 indicates that the selections are final (e.g., requests thatthe card be printed or transmitted). Referring to FIG. 50 , the clientindicates via the client interface 110 when the client 102 has completedthe logo selection.

Referring to FIG. 5P, responsive to the client interface 110 receivingan indication that the client 102 has completed the logo selection, theclient interface 110 prompts the client 102 to provide a personalizedmessage. The client 102 provides the message via the client interface110 using text to enter the message. For example, the text may includethe prospective recipient cardholder's name (e.g., “John Sales”). Inanother example, the text additionally or alternatively describes theemployer's incentive program or theme (e.g., “great sales”). The client102 may select via the client interface 110 additional design data forcustomizing the appearance of the entered company. For example, theclient 102 may select the color of the text (e.g., black, white). Theclient interface 110 displays a preview of the card according to theselected design data and allows the client 102 to change the selectionsuntil the client 102 indicates that the selections are final (e.g.,requests that the card be printed or transmitted). The client 102indicates via the client interface 110 when the client 102 has completedthe personalized message customization.

Referring to FIG. 5Q, responsive to the client interface 110 receivingan indication that the client 102 has completed the personalized messagecustomization, the client interface 110 prompts the client 102 tofinalize the creation of the card by the selecting that the card beprinted (or, in the case of a virtual card, selecting that the card bytransmitted). In one embodiment (not illustrated), the client 102 canspecify via the client interface 110 that a number of cards having theselected account parameters and design data be printed or transmitted.Responsive to the client 102 selecting the printing or transmitting ofthe card via the client interface 110, the client interface 110communicates the account parameters for the card to the administratorprocessor 126. The account parameters include the selected accountparameters (e.g., selected merchants and selected amount) and an accountidentifier. For example, the account identifier is the set of numbersappearing on the front of the card. Additionally, the client interface110 communicates the selected design data to the card creator 112 forprinting or transmitting the card according to the selected design data.The administrator processor 126, controlled by the incentive company(e.g., AEIS), manages the account parameters for use in authorizingtransactions by the cardholder with the selected merchants.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an environment for redeeming anamount from the balance of a card customized by a client according tothe system 100, 300, and/or 400 which includes an administratorprocessor 126 for administering the account parameters. According to theillustrated embodiment, when a cardholder initiates a transaction with amerchant 134-A, 134-N using the card, the merchant 134-A, 134-Ncommunicates a transaction request to a card processor 132. Thetransaction request includes the amount requested for redeeming by thecardholder, the identity of the requesting merchant 134-A, 134-N, andthe identity of the account represented by the card. In one embodiment,the card processor 132 is controlled by a credit association. Forexample, the card processor 132 is supplied and controlled by awell-known commercial credit association such as the American Express®credit card network. In another embodiment, the card processor 132 isadditionally or alternatively affiliated with the card issuer. Themerchant 134-A, 134-N accesses the card processor 132 by a card reader,call-in access, web-based access, or any other access known to thoseskilled in the art.

In the illustrated environment, the card processor 132 is connected toan issuer processor 130 via a wired (e.g., wired network or direct-wiredconnection) and/or a wireless (e.g., acoustic, radio frequency (RF),infrared) communication media. Likewise, the issuer processor 130 isconnected to the administrator processor 126 of the system 100, 300, 400via a wired (e.g., wired network or direct-wired connection) and/or awireless (e.g., acoustic, radio frequency (RF), infrared) communicationmedia. The issuer processor 130 is controlled by the card issuer andconfigured to access the stored account parameters to evaluate(validate, authorize, approve, grant) the transaction request. Inoperation, the card processor 132 transmits the transaction request tothe issuer processor 130 in response to receiving the request. Theissuer processor 130 accesses the administrator processor 126 to obtainthe account parameters for the account represented by the cardidentified in the transaction request. The issuer processor 130 thenevaluates the transaction request based on the obtained accountparameters. In particular, the issuer processor 130 compares therequesting merchant 134-A, 134-N to the selected merchant(s) indicatedby the account parameters. Additionally, the issuer processor 130compares the amount requested for redeeming to the redeemable amountindicated by the account parameters. The issuer processor 130 thentransmits data to the card processor validating the requestedtransaction as a function of the requesting merchant 134-A, 134-Nmatching one of the selected merchant(s) and the amount requested forredeeming being less than or equal to the redeemable amount.Accordingly, the transaction request is validated in a transaction witha selected merchant for an amount less than or equal to the balanceamount of the card. Otherwise, the transaction is denied.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodimentsof the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential,unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed inany order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the inventionmay include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein.For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing aparticular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after anotheroperation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented with computer-executableinstructions. The computer-executable instructions may be organized intoone or more computer-executable components or modules. Aspects of theinvention may be implemented with any number and organization of suchcomponents or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are notlimited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specificcomponents or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein.Other embodiments of the invention may include differentcomputer-executable instructions or components having more or lessfunctionality than illustrated and described herein.

When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodimentsthereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to meanthat there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparentthat modifications and variations are possible without departing fromthe scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims.As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products,and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for processing a card transaction, saidsystem comprising: a plurality of cards, each card of the pluralityrepresenting an account between a cardholder and selected merchants; amerchant database, comprising storage media, for storing informationregarding a plurality of merchants who will accept the plurality ofcards in a transaction after such cards are activated; a clientinterface comprising a memory for storing instructions and a processorfor executing the stored instructions, the client interface connected tothe merchant database, the stored instructions causing said clientinterface to interact with and to respond to said instructions byselecting more than one merchants and selecting one of the accountswhich will be accepted by the selected merchants after such account isactivated and which will be rejected by merchants other than theselected merchants, the stored instructions causing said clientinterface to communicate the selected merchants to an administratorprocessor via a card network provider for determining whether a merchantat a point of sale is one of the selected merchants, wherein said cardnetwork provider is at least one of a credit card association and adebit card association; and a card creator, comprising a processor,responsive to a communication from the client interface, said cardcreator associating an assigned account number with one of the pluralityof cards, wherein a transaction involving the assigned account number ofthe card and one of the selected merchants will be approved by the cardnetwork provider based on the communicated information identifying theassigned account number and the communicated information identifying oneof the selected merchants, and wherein a transaction involving the cardand other than one of the selected merchants will be disapproved by thecard network provider based on the communicated information identifyingthe assigned account number and the communicated information identifyingthe selected merchants; whereby transactions from the selected merchantswill be allowed for processing with the cards by communicating throughthe card network provider so that the card is approved for the selectedmerchants which accept at least one of credit, debit, and pre-paidcards.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of cardsis associated with an activated account having a pre-defined amount forredeeming only with the client selected merchants.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the client selected merchants are individually selectedor are one or more preset merchant groups selected via the clientinterface or a combination of merchants individually selected via theclient interface and one or more preset merchant groups selected via theclient interface, wherein each merchant group includes more than onemerchant but less than all merchants accepting transactions via the cardnetwork provider.
 4. The system of claim 1 further comprising graphicalmaterial associated with the card wherein the graphical materialincludes additional material selected by the client via the clientinterface, said selected material includes one or more of the following:identifying information associated with the cardholder, a personalizedmessage, identifying information associated with the client, contactinformation associated with the client, identifying informationassociated with the selected merchants, contact information associatedwith the selected merchants, credit redeemable by the cardholder, and anexpiration date for redeeming the credit.
 5. The system of claim 1further comprising a kiosk housing the client interface.
 6. The systemof claim 1 wherein the client interface interacts with the client toreceive design data for further customizing the appearance of materialassociated with the card, said customizing data including one or more ofthe following: font of characters, style of characters, size of thematerial associated with the card, color of the information, a themeassociated with the card, and an orientation of the material associatedwith the card.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the card comprises aphysical card and wherein a selected logo associated with the client andprovided via the client interface is stored in a logo database and isprinted on the physical card.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the cardcomprises a virtual card.
 9. A system comprising: a processor comprisingcomputer executable instructions, which, in response to client input,said card represents an account between a cardholder and a limitednumber of merchants, said card usable only at the limited number ofmerchants or preset merchant groups selected via a client interface,wherein the limited number of merchants are more than one merchant andsaid preset merchant groups include more than one merchant, wherein saidcomputer executable instructions further cause a card activator toassigning a unique account number to the card; a merchant managementsystem with merchant information related to a first number of merchants,wherein the merchant management system comprises computer executableinstructions which cause the merchant management system to create afilter corresponding to the card related to a second number ofmerchants, wherein the second number of merchants is the number ofmerchants selected by the client and wherein the second number ofmerchants is less than the first number of merchants; and a cardprocessing system operated by at least one of a credit card associationand a debit card association, wherein the card processing systemcomprises computer executable instruction which cause the cardprocessing system to receive from a merchant a transaction request toredeem the card, to obtain confirmation via the merchant managementsystem responsive to the transaction request that the merchant is one ofthe selected merchants based on the created filter, to authorize use ofthe card at the merchant only when confirmation is obtained that themerchant is one of the selected merchants, and to deny use of the cardat the merchant when the confirmation is not obtained.
 10. A system forapproving a transaction for processing, including a card representing anaccount between a cardholder and a plurality of selected merchants, saidsystem comprising: an account parameters database, comprising storagemedia, storing information identifying a plurality of merchants; and aclient interface which includes a non-transitory computer readablememory for storing instructions and a processor for executing the storedinstructions, the client interface connected to the account parametersdatabase, the stored instructions causing said client interface toselect merchants from the plurality of merchants identified by theinformation stored in the account parameters database, wherein theclient interface is enabled to select a number of merchants less thanall of the merchants using a card network provider, said clientinterface including: (i) an input component for receiving, from the usermerchant selection, information consisting of the client selectedmerchants, and (ii) an output component for transmitting the clientselected merchants and account number information to an administrativeprocessor for activating an unactivated account of the card.
 11. Thesystem of claim 10 wherein the client interface interacts with theclient to select the amount redeemable by the cardholder, said selectedamount being redeemable by the cardholder at the plurality of selectedmerchants.
 12. The system of claim 10 further comprising a kiosk unithousing the client interface.
 13. The system of claim 10 wherein theclient interface interacts with the client to display a preview of thecard to the client before the card activator activates the card.
 14. Thesystem of claim 10 wherein the client interface further interacts withthe client to collect an image provided by the client.
 15. The system ofclaim 10 wherein the amount includes one or more of the following: anamount corresponding to a particular product sold by the merchant, anamount corresponding to a particular service sold by the merchant, anamount corresponding to a denomination redeemable for products orservices sold by the merchant, a zero balance subsequently loadable withan amount, and zero balance unloadable with an additional amount. 16.The system of claim 10 wherein the card comprises a virtual card. 17.The system of claim 10 wherein the card comprises a physical card andwherein a selected logo associated with the client and provided via theclient interface is stored in a logo database and is printed on thephysical card.
 18. A computer implemented method for a approving a cardtransaction relating to an account between a cardholder and a pluralityof selected merchants, said card for use through a card networkprovider, said method performed by a client interface comprising storedinstructions in a memory, which, when executed by the client interface'sprocessor, cause the client interface to perform the method comprising:receiving merchant data, said merchant data identifying merchantsselected by said client from a plurality of participating merchants,wherein the selected merchants are more than one but not all of themerchants participating in a card network of a card network provider;receiving value data, said value data indicating an amount selected by aclient to be added to the account represented by the card, said amountredeemable by the cardholder with the selected merchants as a functionof the client funding said amount; providing access to accountparameters through the card network provider for authorizing atransaction with a first merchant for the account based on said accountparameters, wherein said card network provider is at least one of acredit card association and a debit card association, said accountparameters including the merchant data and value data, said authorizingincluding determining that the first merchant requesting the transactionis a selected merchant based on the merchant data; and providing accessto account parameters through the card network provider for denying atransaction with a second merchant for the account based on said accountparameters, said denying including determining that the second merchantrequesting the transaction is not a selected merchant based on themerchant data.
 19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: receivinga request to activate a particular account; verifying that the amountindicated by the value data has been funded by the client for theparticular account; and generating an activation status as a function ofthe funding verification, said generated activation status included inthe account parameters wherein the client's status indicates one or moreof the following: amount of card is redeemable as a function ofimmediate funding by the client, amount of card is redeemable as afunction of subsequent funding by the client, amount of card isimmediately redeemable, amount of card is redeemable after a certaintime period, and amount of card is redeemable for a limited amount. 20.The method of claim 18 wherein the cards comprise at least one of aphysical card and a virtual card, wherein access to the accountparameters is provided responsive to a transaction request received byan issuer processor via the card network provider for authorizing atransaction using the card, said transaction initiated by a cardholderwith a requesting merchant.